Family tradition still going strong

Four generations of Logan family exhibits have thrilled Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society fair-goers over the years thanks to Devlin resident Helen Logan and her dedication to the local exhibition hall, said Jan Judson, one of the fair’s organizers.
“Helen is amazing. She always enters several exhibits and has gotten her family into it, too,” Judson noted. “She even won the top prize for this year for the most fruits, vegetables, and flower exhibits.”
Logan has been participating in the annual fall fair since her family re-located to Devlin from Saskatchewan way back in 1964.
“Oh, it has been too long to remember how many years I’ve been doing this, but I enjoy every minute of it,” she enthused.
Although admitting she’s slowed down over the years and doesn’t enter as many crafts as she used to, Logan still entered 50 exhibits this year. They included baked goodies, canned jams, vegetables, and flowers.
“I guess it’s not too bad for an older lady,” she laughed.
As the master exhibitor, Logan received Sundwall Gardens’ $100 award for the most vegetables, fruits, and flowers at the fair. She also rode in the annual fair parade as a lifetime member of the Legion Br. #99 ladies’ auxiliary in Emo.
“I love waving to all the kids and seeing the big smiles the fair brings to all their faces,” Logan said, adding the idea of the fair is to bring families and friends together.
“It’s a wonderful place to gather, learn, and make memories,” she remarked.
When preparing for the fair each August, Logan, along with her children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren, all select different categories to enter. They even share recipes and family secrets.
“I joke with them that I’ll never give them my secrets, but actually I do share some,” Logan said.
In most categories, Logan’s entries placed first, but there were a few where her grandchildren beat her, she admitted.
“I laugh when they place ahead of me because it’s good to see my traditions carrying one,” she noted.
And then there was the bread mishap. “My bread loaf placed second because I used American flour. I’ll never do that again,” Logan vowed.
But the ribbons aren’t all that important to Logan—it’s her family’s involvement and traditions that are.
“I’m very proud of all of them for following in my footprints, and they’d better keep submitting their entries year after year,” she said.